A popular pool and spa supply chain is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Houston, but company officials say customers should still be able to shop like usual as it prepares to shutter nearly 80 stores.
Leslie’s Pool Supplies, known as the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry, announced Wednesday its “restructuring” agreement with its lenders to cut about $685 million or 90 percent of its outstanding debt. Part of that agreement involves filing for chapter 11 cases within the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The first-day hearing in the case was scheduled for Thursday afternoon before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alfredo R. Pérez in Houston.
Officials with Leslie’s say the court process is expected to move through quickly, with its existing lenders having majority ownership of the company by early 2027. But one thing the company’s CEO emphasized is that Leslie’s will remain open for customers.
“Leslie’s is here to stay, and I am deeply grateful to our employees, customers, and partners for their continued support as we work to position Leslie’s for a strong future,” Jason McDonell said in the announcement.
Leslie’s Pool Supplies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Houston as it prepares to close 76 stores and cut about $685 million in debt. (Trevor Srednick/Getty Images)
The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, but has a major presence in Texas. ScrapeHero, a location data company, says Leslie’s has 216 stores in Texas, more than any other state and about 24 percent of its U.S. locations. The same data lists about 19 stores in the Greater Houston Area.
The bankruptcy filing comes after several years of financial pressure on the pool and spa chain. In court filings, Leslie’s said the industry slowed after pandemic-era demand cooled, while inflation, higher interest rates, weaker consumer spending, unfavorable weather and competition from big-box and online retailers hurt business.
Leslie’s had already been shrinking before the bankruptcy. Court filings say the company committed in November 2025 to closing about 80 underperforming stores and one distribution center, with those closures substantially completed by January 2026.
Leslie’s said it will close 76 stores as part of its restructuring, but all remaining stores outside of those closures remain open and fully operational. The company said customers can still shop in stores, online and through the mobile app, while gift cards and loyalty benefits will continue to be honored.
Chron has reached out to Leslie’s Pools to determine which locations in Texas are affected by the closures and how many are in the Houston area.
The company also said its debt load strained liquidity. As of the bankruptcy filing, Leslie’s reported about $787 million in funded debt, including about $757 million tied to its pre-petition term loan facility.
The new restructuring agreement includes $90 million in debtor-in-possession financing and a $60 million equity financing package, according to the company. Leslie’s has also asked the court to approve a $225 million asset-based financing facility to support operations during the Chapter 11 process.
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This article originally published at Major pool supply chain with over 200 Texas locations files for bankruptcy.